What's The Best Way To Talk About Breast Cancer?

While I was busy jet-setting around Miami with Philip Michael Thomas as his publicist during the days of MIAMI VICE, or flying over the French Alps in four-seater planes, having breast cancer was the furthest thing from my mind. But in 2003, it crashed my party and became my new reality. Four years after my diagnosis, I am more than a survivor – I am a Victor!

I have been traveling the country hosting Tea Parties for Breast Cancer Awareness to share my story. My mission is to encourage women to be more open about this condition so that we learn to have a positive outlook on life and understand that early detection is key.

My mother had five daughters and four of us survived breast cancer. We all had a different type. I had ductal carcinoma en situ, a stage 1 breast cancer. While stage 1 is early, it is still traumatic for two reasons: 1) the prescribed treatment can still be breast removal; and 2) you are at once faced with your own mortality – not something you rush to. I don’t know anyone who is happy to see the Grim Reaper in their bedroom in the morning -– Hello Mr. Reaper. Nice to see you! God gave me the “medicine” of humor for my healing and my practice of Native American spirituality or “medicine” helped the process.

“Raining Deer” is, of course, a Native American name. “Medicine” as referenced herein refers to an element of a culture. In Native American tradition “medicine” has different connotations. In western society medicine is thought of as a substance containing healing properties that, when ingested provides relief from an illness or the symptoms of an illness. In our culture medicine means different things – the innocence of a child, music, dance, the ability to cook good food, creativity, the ability to make people smile or laugh – all containing healing properties. I should have used it sooner on myself. Maybe I would not have gotten breast cancer.

WOW – what a statement! As a practitioner of Native American medicine, I know that spiritual imbalance can lead to a manifestation of a physical imbalance which can cause dis-ease. Yes, I was raised in the church, but I know that God gives us the power of disce
ment so we can disce
if what we are doing to ourselves is either good for us or detrimental. I’m no genius, but I can pinpoint with great accuracy what was going on with me at the time I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and dare I say – I probably brought it on myself. I had a family history, but if you are familiar with the law of attraction, “The Secret,” the “you are what you eat” premise, then you understand how we can create our own imbalance and become dis-eased as a result.

Up until that time I lived a great life. Miami was paradise for me and I enjoyed its exciting fast pace, working with Mr. Thomas and his celebrity friends. But, after moving back north in 2001, I was in a state of flux: uncertainty, disorganization with my living status, I was disappointed with a relationship; I worried about elderly relatives who had no children to care for them, in addition to being conce
ed with my own mother’s health, my son’s adjustment to a new school in a new state, not to mention finances were not great. My diet suffered and consequently so did I as a result of stress. I should have realized that internalizing my frustration could lead to disaster, but I was so engrossed in feeling that I had been wronged or questioning whether I had made poor choices in my life, that I moved totally away from my center. I didn’t realize it until I began to write & talk about my journey.

One thing that helps you deal with a diagnosis of breast cancer is knowing that nothing drastic will change in your life as a result of it. When I was diagnosed, I worked at a law firm, Buchanan Ingersoll, and the personnel manager was a lady named Felice. She introduced me to a friend who was a survivor, who gave me a clear perspective of what I was in for. But more importantly, Felice also assured me that my job was secure, this was perhaps the best medicine at the time. Unless you are independently wealthy, are married or have a mate who takes care of everything, or your name is Oprah, you need a job.

I thank God for the medicine of humor that helped to heal my spirit. I use it now so that the times for tears are few and far in between. I wrote BCV because I reached a point wherei
I needed my tears to become tears of joy. They came when I gave thanks to the Creator for the new beginning, the rebirth and new life that I was given.

In my next article, I’ll review the rites of passage I talk about in BCV as well as my new book, "10 TIPS TO AVOID BREAST CANCER (Unless It's In The Genes)." They cover lifestyle issues relating to the total experience you go through with any form of cancer.

Raining Deer’s Appearances for Breast Cancer Awareness:

• Oct 2006 -Law Firm of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, Phila., PA (TP)
• Nov 2006 -Jakmel Art Gallery, Miami, Floridan • Nov 2006 –Afro-in-Books Café, Miami, Floridan • Nov 2006 –Miami Book Fair International, Miami, Floridan • Feb 2007 -La Unique Books & Cultural Center, Camden, New Jersey (TP)
• March 2007 -Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library, Atlanta, GA (TP)
• Community Radio 89.3 FM WRFG, Atlanta, Georgian • Mar 2007 -Art Sanctuary Annual Book Fair, Philadelphia, PAn • April 2007 -African American Research Library, Fort Lauderdale, FL (TP)
• April 2007 -Pan African Art & Book Expo, Miami, Floridan • 2007 Harlem Book Fair, New York, New Yorkn • Aug. 4, 2007 Nu Unity Day Festival, Mizpah (Atlantic County), NJ (TP)
• Oct. 6, 2007 Sandhills Regional Medical Center, Hamlet, NC (TP)
*(TP) denotes Tea Partynnn